Kaupo Kikkas’ exhibition “Statue”

“A statue can be the base of an entire structure as well as a highlighted cult object at once. In the next moment, it is just a pillar or someone's future pension,” says Kaupo Kikkas, the author of the exhibition, as an introduction.

 On 03.08., at 19:00, the photography artist Kaupo Kikkas will open his photographic exhibition Statue in the SOLARIS Gallery. In cooperation with make-up artist Õnne Rudi, top Estonian athletes were turned into human sculptures, bringing to life the beauty ideals of ancient Greece. This is how living statues emerged, aesthetically beautiful as ancient columns, but lacking the coldness of stone and with real people behind them.

 “The STATUE is my worship of classical ideals of beauty that have endured for thousands of years and inspired artists throughout this time. In Estonia, there is no cult of sculptures typical of old cultural countries, and the few we have - there are constant problems with them too. Be it a cross, an obelisk or a bronze man. In my own way, I filled this gap in monumental art with a living human body instead of stone as the material to be carved. They have all the good qualities of a statue, but lack the coldness and inhuman perfection of stone. It is a divine material that every artist dreams of molding.”

 Kaupo Kikkas

 The exhibition Statue was prepared in honor of the IFBB Classic Bodybuilding World Championships held in Estonia in 2011, and after the first presentation in Estonia, the exhibition was presented to the head office of the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (IFBB). Therefore, the exhibition could only be seen in Estonia for a short time, and now ten years later, the exhibition will finally be re-presented in the SOLARIS Gallery.

 Margus-Richard Talivee's large-format work born from Kaupo's photo creations adds a fresh and larger dimension to the exhibition. Margus is an artist with a background in graffiti and street art, and the work is created in a key and format suitable for street art.

 The models of the exhibition are bodybuilders from the Estonian national team, who also won the world team championship title in the same year: Imre Vähi, Janar Rückenberg, Ott Kiivikas, Indrek Viska, Martin Münz, Marti Taru, Oleg Anissimov, Raigo Kuusnõmm and Meelis Susi.

 Photographer's assistant: Marilin Leenurm and make-up artist's assistant: Signe Uibo.

 You can get acquainted with the works of Kaupo Kikkas on the author's website - https://www.kaupokikkas.com/

 The exhibition is open in The SOLARIS Gallery until August 14. 

 Additional information:
Tel: +372 53 908 107
E-post: meelis.tammemagi@artun.ee 
  
  SOLARIS Gallery
Estonia pst 12, Tallinn
Mon–Fri 12.00–20.00